Really Creative Advertising

"The beauty of an original
is in the originality of its beauty."
- Samsung Full HD Series 6 LCD TV ad.

This is what I'd call creative and original adverteasing - sorry, advertising:

Budweiser ad.














What say you?

Here's Easy Sunday for You

Hope these jokes make your day.

1. Where is Wifey?

On a rural road a state trooper pulled this farmer over and said: "Sir, do you realize your wife fell out of the car several miles back?"

To which the farmer replied: "Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!"

2. Answering Machine

After the tone, leave your name, number, and tell where you left the money. I'll get back to you as soon as it's safe for you to come out of hiding.

3. Business and Lawyers

Always take a lawyer with you, and bring another lawyer to watch him.

4. Could have been here sooner

An elderly couple were killed in an accident and found themselves being given a tour of heaven by Saint Peter. "Here is your ocean-side condo, over there are the tennis courts, swimming pool, and two golf courses. If you need any refreshments, just stop by any of the many bars located throughout the area."

"Heck, Gloria," the old man hissed when Saint Peter walked off, "we could have been here ten years ago if you hadn't heard about all that stupid oat bran, wheat germ, and low-fat diets!"

5. I'll just call my lawyer about this

Another on that I have seen pulled is to have someone speak out at the time the minister asks, "If anyone has good reason why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."

They had a pregnant lady stand up and say, "Oh, never mind! I'll just call my lawyer!" It rattled the groom's mother so much that she fainted.

Freedom and Responsibility - Wonderful Week

"God gave us free will

And with it the burden of choice."

We often define freedom as the ability to do what we please, when and where we decide to. But what about the outcome of our actions, and the choices our decisions are based on?

A closer look at freedom and responsibility reveals the many misconceptions we have about the two.

Freedom, from an existential perspective, cannot be separated from responsibility. With freedom comes responsibility. Yet, it is common for many people to seek freedom while trying to avoid responsibility. While, at times, it appears that people may be able to succeed at this, there remains a psychological consequence. This consequence is often not very noticeable, but may find expression through guilt, anxiety, depression, or even anger.

We can actually choose to be free. Self-awareness, is a commitment people make which can enhance their freedom. Yet, most people choose to live a life of being unaware. While many choose to avoid living in the realities of life, a few choose to live more fully in awareness.

Freedom is responsibility. When you're free, you're automatically responsible for your own future. The way to be freer is to be yourself, let those who don't like it drift away from you, and let those who do like it gravitate toward you — so your relationships will add to your life, not detract from it.

From a christian perspective, God gives us both the liberty and the responsibility to fulfil ourselves in the capacity that he assigns us in using the gifts with which he endows us. "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Gal. 5:1).

This, however, is not accomplished through the keeping of a code of law. In gaining our liberty from the yoke of law, we are still obligated to keep the law of Christ.

What about being free like a butterfly? Well, consider the following extract from Mariah Carey's 'Butterfly'.

BUTTERFLY
Lyrics by Mariah Carey

Spread your wings and prepare to fly
For you have become a butterfly
Fly abandonedly into the sun...
... So spread your wings and fly
Butterfly

I have learned that beauty
Has to flourish in the light
Wild horses run unbridled
Or their spirit dies...

So flutter through the sky
Butterfly
Spread your wings and fly
Butterfly...

BOTTOM LINE
This week, purpose to be free. Free from guilt, anger and regret. Be free from people, situations and actions that are not worth your time.
It is your responsibility to be free. Free and responsible. Responsibly free!

Q FM - Another Rumba Station?

Some weeks ago, I chanced upon this station on 94.4 FM. No name, no jingles or signature. Just some nice Country Music. "At last," I thought. "Someone has decided to create a niche here." So I kept listening.

I was aware though, of what happened with Radio Umoja 101.5 FM. They started with rock music during their test transmissions, only to go into Rumba upon launch. What a disappointment!

Then I saw the newspaper ad. Nyambane, Talia and Jairos in the new Nation Media Group radio station - Q FM. An ardent radio listener, I wondered what to say - for now.

Q 94.4 FM was launched on Wednesday evening in Nairobi. Yesterday, they had a fun-day at KICC. The official scheduled broadcasts begin tomorrow morning.

My main concern is that this station will add to a growing list of Rumba stations is Kenya. We now have Radio Simba 102.7 FM, Milele 93.6 FM, Jambo 97.5 FM, Radio Umoja 101.5 FM and the heavyweights - KBC Swahili 92.9 FM and Radio Citizen 106.7 FM. Who will reign supreme?

My considered opinion is that any business gets stale when it recycles the same ideas time and time again. So far, only Capital 98.4 FM, Kiss 100.3 FM and Family (now Radio 316) l03.9 FM launched with a fresh approach. Many others have only promised a different approach to what we already have, then failed miserably.
All said however, this is good since more stations mean increased diversity and more choices for listeners.

We can only hope that NMG have done their research really well. After the setbacks NMG encountered, and eventually overcame with Nation FM, they seem to have their strategy well laid out. Let us give NMG the benefit of doubt and see what Nyambane, Maureen Medza, Jairos, Massawe Japanni, Talia and crew have in store for us.

I wish Q FM all the best as they commence their broadcasts tomorrow.

Have a Laugh!

1. Play

2. Love

















3. Drink

















4. Dance






















5. Sleep
















Oh, and you never have to sleep alone...

Lighten Up: Wonderful Week

"A positive attitude is not just a psychological phenomenon
it has physiological roots as well.
Research has determined that when a person feels cheerful and positive,
their system generates hormones called endorphins,
which are natural pain blockers."
- R. Weinreich

Twelve years ago, I was a young man in high school.
I know a friend who for a whole term, was depressed, withdrawn and highly stressed. He was generally silent, as if always in deep in thought.

At first, we thought Joe (let's call him that for now) was studying very hard - he woke up at 5am every morning and slept very late, always extending the evening prep. Needless to say, his grades were not consistent with all that work.

Eventually, Joe's trying times did end. He became happier and more interactive than ever before. His academic performance improved, so much that he returned to being among the top ten in class.

Looking back, I now realize that many of us never take time to smile. We go about our lives as if the weight of the world is upon our shoulders.

This week's theme is to lighten up. The following poem say the rest. Purpose to lighten up this week. Be edified!

A LAUGH IS WORTH A HUNDRED GROANS IN ANY MARKET

As we become honest with ourselves, we can begin to see that we take most things in life too seriously. We view our jobs, our status, our possessions large and small - even life's little mishaps with far more seriousness than they deserve. The heart of the matter, of course, is that we tend to take ourselves too seriously.

While it's true many things need our serious attention, that doesn't mean we have to go about straight-faced and tight-lipped in all areas of our lives. When we are excessively concerned, we limit our ability to have fun, to be relaxed and happy - in short, enjoy life.

If we find ourselves taking everything too seriously - if we see that we're trying to manage things beyond our control - it's time we reorder our priorities asking ourselves, "What is really important?"

Perhaps then we can remember that we have a choice to either burden ourselves by viewing everything as 'serious' and therefore, probably negative, or to strive for a positive outlook, with the goal of enjoying life a day at a time as it unfolds.

Lighten Up!

Telkom Kenya: Is the future Orange?

Well, on Thursday, August 14, Telkom Kenya made the first big step towards their product and services launch in coming weeks. The Nation reported this story here.

Firstly, their logo has changed. The name however, didn't change. Telkom did wear orange, but becoming orange. The Telkom Kenya web site was updated. The little information it now has is far much better than what I was earlier very concerned about.

Their broadband internet offering through Jambo Telkom did catch my attention. In the Daily Nation article, "The operator has given its broadband service business a facelift by investing in the latest technology- Evolution data optimised technology (EVDO) that is compatible with CDMA phones, increasing access speed from 128kbps to 512kbps.

Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Telkom Kenya chief executive Dominique Saint Jean said that the new broadband package comes with high speeds and targets home users, small businesses and cyber cafes.

It comes in three forms: the broadband plus, turbo and ultimate which attract monthly fees of Sh5,990 and Sh10,990 and Sh16,990 respectively."

At a time when prices are getting lower elsewhere, I wonder how this offering will favorably compete with the others. We shall however wait and see.

All in all, this is a good and welcome move. For ICT consumers in Kenya, it seems the best days are indeed ahead of us. What do you think?

Funny Pics: Enjoy your Sato!

These did crack me up:

1. Is honesty really the best policy?





















2. Or deliberately making yourself an easy target?


















3. People need to float as they swim. But not everything has to float anyway...


















4. Ok. That may have been in bad taste. So I guess clowns taste funny.



















5. Finally, something you may wanna say when she tells you she's tied up....


















Enjoy your Saturday......

Weekend Jokes

Start your weekend with a smile...

1. Where to go for a drink

Q: Where does a blackbird go for a drink?
A: To a crow bar.

2. The Laws of Golf

LAW 5: No matter what causes a golfer to muff a shot, all his playing partners must solemnly chant "You looked up," or invoke the wrath of the universe.

3. What a boss!

For thirty years, Johnson had arrived at work at 9A.M. on the dot. He had never missed a day and was never late.

Consequently, when on one particular day 9 A.M. passed without Johnson's arrival, it caused a sensation. All work ceased, and the boss himself, looking at his watch and muttering, came out into the corridor.

Finally, precisely at ten, Johnson showed up, clothes dusty and torn, his face scratched and bruised, his glasses bent. He limped painfully to the time clock, punched in, and said, aware that all eyes were upon him, "I tripped and rolled down two flights of stairs in the subway. Nearly killed myself."

And the boss said, "And to roll down two flights of stairs took you a whole hour?"

4. Why not be like that?

Jill tells her husband, "Jack, that young couple that just moved in next door seem such a loving twosome. Every morning, when he leaves the house, he kisses her goodbye, and every evening when he comes homes, he brings her a dozen roses.

Now, why can't you do that?"

"Gosh," Jack says, "why I hardly know the girl."

5. Following instructions. No questions asked.

An old blacksmith realized he was soon going to quit working so hard. He picked out a strong young man to become his apprentice. The old fellow was crabby and exacting. "Don't ask me a lot of questions," he told the boy. "Just do whatever I tell you to do." One day the old blacksmith took an iron out of the forge and laid it on the anvil. "Get the hammer over there," he said. "When I nod my head, hit it real good and hard."
Now the town is looking for a new blacksmith.

Enjoy your weekend.

Bridges: Wonderful Week

"Hope is the bridge that connects you to where you want to go

Faith assures you that the bridge will hold
Love gives you a reason to cross it."

Looking back at the days I was in college, I realize that life at the time accorded us many luxuries we cannot have in adult life.

Consider communication and friends. How often do you wish that you had the time to see someone, attend social events, make courtesy calls, make amends, or meet new people? With limited free time and increasing responsibilities, we often find ourselves alone.

Those we eventually interact with are the people who are a part of our daily lives - our colleagues in the office, neighbors at the estate or the people we fellowship with every Sunday. Yet, we still yearn to communicate.

Having listened to the Gospel album "Bridges: Songs of Unity and Purpose", about five years ago, I now realize how important it is to interact with like minded people and seek purpose in our unity. This album was released in July 1999. Its deep and inspired message however still lingers on. You can get more details of this great collaborative music here. This is music worth listening to.

BRIDGES

Some people believe bridges are designed to span chasms and to make possible passage over the impossible. They do span chasms, but more importantly, they encourage communication, making what is inaccessible accessible and what is foreign familiar.

Steel, concrete and wood are materials for bridge building of one kind. But introduction, familiarity and co-operation are building blocks for the human bridge.

Make familiar the foreign and encourage communication.

Remember if I were you and you were me, and if I am not afraid to touch your hand, you will reach for mine, we can stand together, stay together and even soar together as the raven and the dove.

And where there is desire, prayer and belief, all things are possible.

-PAUL WRIGHT (The Album 'Bridges' by various Gospel artists)
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This week, go out there and start communicating. You may be surprised to find that those you need to communicate and bridge gaps with the most are the ones closest to you. Your week should be wonderful if you do so.

Communicate, and share the above words with your friends. You now believe and are inspired. Then do something about it.
Have a Wonderful Week!

5 ads that don't suck

The Kenyan creative industry has made tremendous strides in the last decade. IAdvertising is now a lucrative industry, with ad-spend running into billions of shillings every year. Telecommunications, beverages and financial industry giants have facilitated all this, as competition hots up in these sectors.

I just read a blog post outlining some Kenyan ads that really suck. Following is my take on some ads that do not suck. The ads are funny, and i believe they arouse the necessary emotions that make consumers identify with these brands. So here we go:

1. Bbbbbrrrrr!!!!!!!! - Coca Cola
Watching TV during prime time, there are ads that make us smile. Watching Charles Bukeko on the Coca Cola bbbrrr!!!!! ad, I can't help laughing. Even if I'had never seen the dude on Papa Shirandula, the rest of the image is funny. This is really nice advertising.


2. HD TV - Samsung
KTN has been repeating this advert during the Prime Time News till you wonder how much Samsung pays for it.
I like this line: "The beauty of an original is in the originality of it's beauty."
Samsung has always had amazing ads. From the "....with Samsung, it's not that hard to imagine" adverts to the 'Samsung Soul' cell phone ad, the advertising agency that handles the samsung account needs a pat on the back for the good work.

3. We know, You Know - Dyer and Blair
This ad is very well executed on a classy Golf Course. The ball bounces on several D&B banners and eventually ends in a hole. The voice-over makes you feel like you are watching those powerful BBC or Discovery Channel documentaries. The background music is very soothing. This ad is just powerful.

4. Atoti - Nissan Hard body
This ad has been missing in action for some time now. However, it was a fresh ad that achieved the 'Seriously Kenyan' message that Nissan loves to emphasize. The ad that followed was not that good, the Nameless song they used didn't quite work.
Watching the Nissan pick-up swerve to the late Wicky Mosh's 'Atoti' tune, I just loved this Nissan ad and do long for its comeback.

5. Peter Marangi - Dura Coat
This ad was what you call good advertising. Peter Marangi is this funny man who has a beyond-book knowledge of paint. Forget the 7 colors of a rainbow, Peter Marangi knows there are more colors and shades. As an expert, he convinces you to really "ask the experts."
Peter Marangi is one dude I won't forget anytime soon.

Do you agree with the above? Any additions?
Let us know by posting a comment below.

Safaricom: What Customer Care is all about

This is something Kenya's Suffericom should learn from.
After all, they are part of the Vodafone Group.

Some Weekend Jokes for You

Had a bad week? Well, have a laugh.

Enjoy!

1. The Way to Heaven

The Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, "If you'll come to the Church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven."

"I don't think I'll be there," the boy said. "You don't even know your way to the post office."

2. Where to live

Q: Why do seagulls live near the sea?
A: Because if they lived near the bay, they would be called bagels.

3. Should You file nails?

PATIENT: Doctor, should I file my nails?

DOCTOR: No! Throw them away like everybody else.

4. The arm that stole

A lawyer defending a man accused of burglary tried this creative defense: "My client merely inserted his arm into the window and removed a few trifling articles. His arm is not himself, and I fail to see how you can punish the whole individual for an offense committed by his limb." "Well put," the judge replied. "Using your logic, I sentence the defendant's arm to one year's imprisonment. He can accompany it or not, as he chooses." The defendant smiled. With his lawyer's assistance he detached his artificial limb, laid it on the bench, and walked out.

5. DUI crap

A cop pulls a guy over for weaving across two lanes of traffic.

He walks up to the drivers window and asks, "You drinkin'?"

The driver said, "You buyin'?"

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This weekend, enjoy to the fullest.

The Happy Way to start your weekend

I guess this should be a great way to start your weekend:

1. Finally, Neo discovered that he was living a lie in a simulated reality... providing energy to the machines [The Matrix]. I guess its time we all swallowed the pill...











2. Suppose this actually happened? Not on Grey's Anatomy, ER or Scrubs. I mean, for real. God forbid!












3. This is so not funny!!!












4. This dude looks like Jay Leno... But then, we get the message. Viagra actually works. Wow!












5. This is serious compe for us web designers. But can these bugs code?












Enjoy your furahi-day!

Wonderful Week: Overcome Fear

The stars shine down,
And watch us live
Our little lives
And weep for us"

Fear is one of the greatest hindrances to achievement and progress. The fact that you fear somebody, some consequencies or situations prevents you from taking action. Fear results in missed opportunities and untold regret. Fear is a great demotivator.

Great ideas do not amount to anything if they are not acted upon. The main reason people take no action on their thoughts is fear. Fear clouds our judgement. Fear diminishes capacity. Fear can make you feel lonely and miserable.

A very surprising thing about fear is that many are overwhelmed by a crippling fear of the unknown. In this case, a person is afraid of things they have not experienced. They are afraid of what might just happen - whether they do something or they don't. Days, weeks, even months pass by before doing anything with their lives.

In her book 'A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"', Marianne Williamson wrote some wonderful words on our deepest fear. These words have changed the lives of thousands, if not millions.

This week, take a step of faith to overcome your fear. Stop staring at the steps. Instead, step up the stairs. Purpose to live without fear.

OUR DEEPEST FEAR

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
- Marianne Williamson in A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

Have yourself a Wonderful Week.

Even Funnier Pics - You gotta see these!

Do you hang around computers all day?
This is what you'll be shouting when the bad stuff eventually hits the fan.









What if there were swimming pools during Moses's time. I bet Tahidi High's 'Omosh' would be thoroughly impressed.


















Next time they say you are entitled to some 'paid vacation', you'll be sure to read the fine print.
















Family matters now. Yenyewe 'pwagu hupata pwaguzi'.



















And finally..... try this one for size!





















What do you think? Please comment below.
Next, share the fun with your buddies. Hope your week starts on a light note. Cheers!

What is this "Under Construction" hooey?

Some weeks back, both the Standard and Homeboyz Radio re-designed their sites. Shortly after, Daily Nation online underwent a much needed re-design. All this is welcome.

The Celtel Kenya site that was both often-offline and lacking in new information has obviously been redesigned following their re-branding to Zain. It is now Zain Kenya. It has that new 'Wonderful World' Zain look. I however found it quite wanting in product information. It still has an 'old wine in new wineskins thing going'.

Econet Wireless was to beat a CCK imposed July 31, 2008 services launch deadline. That never happened. I have some aspersions about their launching in September. I'm even more dounbtful that they'll offer any serious competition to Safaricom and Zain Kenya.

Telkom Kenya is set to launch their 'new GSM services' in less than a month. However, the state of their web site is appalling, to say the least. Almost every web page is under construction. The Products and Services, Customer Care, Careers - even the About Telkom Kenya page - all have been under construction for several months now. My only hope is that this laxity is to pave the weay for some serious redesign as they launch their services. We can only wait and see.

Radio Africa Ltd operates Nairobi Star Newspaper, Kiss 100 FM, Classic 105 FM, East 06 FM and a yet to be launched X 105 FM radio stations. The Kiss FM and Nairobi Star web sites have also been under [seemingly perpetual] construction for months now.

It'd be better if these always 'Under Construction' sites are pulled down. They only serve to make these companies look bad to their site visitors. The fact that they are Media and Telecommunication companies which either disseminate or facilitate information & communication only makes it worse.

Simply update or just pull the damn sites down!

Very Funny Pics

I found the following quite funny. Enjoy and share the fun!

First of all, always confirm before you feel.




















Even an innocent thing like wearing your sandals.




















Seems Homer Simpson's brain is really a pea-brain.




















The elephant has been visiting while you've been away.













And finally, a dead dog looks like this:

Jokes for the Weekend

1. The Iraqi Chicken

Q: Why did the Iraqi chicken cross the road?
A: To take over the other side.

2. Amnesia

I can't come to the phone now because I have amnesia and I feel stupid talking to people I don't remember. I'd appreciate it if you could help me out by leaving my name and telling me something about myself. Thanks.

3. Stolen?

A drunk phoned police to report that thieves had been in his car. "They've stolen the dashboard, the steering wheel, the brake pedal, the radio, and even the accelerator," he cried out.

However, before the police investigation could start, the phone rang a second time and the same voice came over the line. "Never mind," he said with a hiccup, "I got in the back seat by mistake."

4. Work and Money

Work may be the crabgrass of life, but money is still the water that keeps it green.

5. The Lawyer and the Devil

The devil visited a lawyer's office and made him an offer. "I can arrange some things for you, " the devil said. "I'll increase your income five-fold. Your partners will love you; your clients will respect you; you'll have four months of vacation each year and live to be a hundred. All I require in return is that your wife's soul, your children's souls, and their children's souls rot in hell for eternity."

The lawyer thought for a moment. "What's the catch?" he asked.